New York Times: Phoenix Union School District to add charter schools in next five years

PHOENIX - The Phoenix Union High School District hopes new charter schools can help its students by increasing educational options, according to a report from The New York Times . The district plans to add 25 new charter schools within the next five years, with costs covered by the state.

Phoenix Union covers urban areas in Central and South Phoenix, and the majority of its students come from poor households. High school graduation rates within the district have increased in the past decade, despite the state's low per-pupil spending. On average, Arizona education spending comes in 17 percent lower than the rest of the country, according to the New York Times .

The new charter schools will be able to choose their own emphases, which could potentially focus on arts, sciences, math or virtual education.